Improving agronomic effectiveness of elemental sulfur to increase productivity in sulfur-deficient soils

Boubakry, C and Agyin-Birikorang, S and Adu-Gyamfi, R and Chambers, R A and Tindjina, I and Angzenaa, A B (2023) Improving agronomic effectiveness of elemental sulfur to increase productivity in sulfur-deficient soils. Agronomy Journal, 115 (6). pp. 3131-3143. ISSN 1435-0645

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Abstract

Elemental sulfur (ES), a byproduct of oil and gas processing, could be an alternate sulfur (S) fertilizer source for crop production if its bioavailability is improved. Increasing the specific surface of ES by reducing its particle size can accelerate ES oxidation to enhance its bioavailability. In field trials at six locations across three countries: two each in the United States, Ghana, and Mali, we determined the agronomic effectiveness of micronized ES (MES). Specific objectives were to quantify (i) corn (Zea mays L.) productivity, (ii) S recovery, and (iii) residual soil S concentration; following MES application, compared to ammonium sulfate (AS), a commercially available sulfate fertilizer, at four application rates—(i) locally recommended sulfur application rate (SR), (ii) 50%_SR, (iii) 75%_SR, and (iv) 125%_SR—and a control where no S was applied. Averaged across all sites and in the three growing seasons, AS at 50%_SR increased corn yield by ≤8% relative to control. Increasing to 75%_SR, SR, and 125%_SR resulted in 12%, 26%, and 28% yield increases, respectively. Applying MES at 50%_SR increased yield by ≤6%, and at 75%_SR, yield increased by ≤26%. Increasing the S application rate to SR and 125%_SR resulted in marginal yield increases. The combined data suggest that MES can be applied at a reduced rate of 75_SR to achieve similar yields as AS applied at SR. We conclude that MES could be an efficient S fertilizer alternative. However, economic analysis is needed to determine the potential profitability of using MES fertilizer products for crop production.

Item Type:	Article
Divisions:	Research Program : West & Central Africa
CRP:	UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords:	elemental sulfur, productivity, sulfur-deficient soils
Subjects:	Others > Soil Others > Soil Science
Depositing User:	Mr Nagaraju T
Date Deposited:	19 Feb 2024 08:20
Last Modified:	19 Feb 2024 08:20
URI:	http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/12489
Official URL:	https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10...
Projects:	UNSPECIFIED
Funders:	UNSPECIFIED
Acknowledgement:	Funding for this work was provided by the United States Agency for International Development’s Feed the Future Soil Fertility Technology Adoption, Policy Reform, and Knowledge Management project. The authors would like to thank Alhaji Rahman Issahaku and Abdul-Rahman Arror Fuseini, formerly of the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), for their technical support. The authors are grateful to Job Fugice Jr. of IFDC Analytical Lab, Emmanuel K.M. Vorleto of Savanna Agricultural Research Institute Soil Lab, and Dr. Sammy Afful of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission Analytical Lab for soil and plant tissues analyses. The authors would like to express our deepest appreciation to Dr. Joaquin Sanabria for overseeing the statistical analysis, review, and constructive criticism.
Links:	Google Scholar

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